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Brian Gibson enters Bamberg County Magistrate’s Court on Monday. He’s accused of being under the influence of alcohol when he was involved in a crash that killed one of his friends and injured others. He’s followed by his attorney, Sen. Brad Hutto, and 1st Sgt. Curtis Burns of the S.C. Highway Patrol.

Teen accused of felony DUI in Ehrhardt crash that killed 1, injured 2

Brian Gibson enters Bamberg County Magistrate’s Court on Monday. He’s accused of being under the influence of alcohol when he was involved in a crash that killed one of his friends and injured others. He’s followed by his attorney, Sen. Brad Hutto, and 1st Sgt. Curtis Burns of the S.C. Highway Patrol.

MARTHA ROSE BROWN, T&D

Matthew Steven Renew died when this vehicle struck a warehouse on Ehrhardt Road near Washington Street around 4 a.m. on July 14.

Struggling to get around on a walker due to an apparent leg injury, a Barnwell teenager appeared in court Monday to face allegations that his actions killed one friend and injured two others in Ehrhardt.

Brian Michael Gibson, 17, of 144 North Clemson Drive, is charged with one count of felony driving under the influence resulting in death and two counts of felony DUI resulting in great bodily injury.

He’s accused of being under the influence of alcohol when he drove a 2005 Chevrolet Avalanche on July 14.

Gibson allegedly ran off the right side of the road and struck a warehouse on Ehrhardt Road near Washington Street around 4 a.m., South Carolina Highway Patrol Lance Cpl. Matt Southern said.

There were four other occupants in the vehicle.

Matthew Steven Renew, 18, died as a result of the crash.

Stephanie Renew spoke of her son after Monday’s bond hearing.

“He was outgoing, he loved his brother, he loved his family, he was excited about the future,” she said as tears trickled down her cheeks.

He’d graduated from Barnwell High School on June 1 and had aspirations of joining the Navy or pursuing a degree in electronics.

“He loved his job, he loved getting a paycheck, he loved his truck,” his mother said.

“You can have fun without putting everybody at risk, and if you’re driving a vehicle and drinking, stop. Let somebody else drive. Call for help,” she said.

The situation is “sad all the way around,” Rep. Justin Bamberg said. He’s the attorney for two of the passengers in the vehicle: 18-year-old Luke Pickering and 20-year-old Brittin Ray.

“Unfortunately, they all knew each other. One of Brian’s friends is no longer here and he’s going to have to live with that forever. Everybody’s going to have to live with that,” Bamberg said.

He said Pickering suffered 20 broken bones and has a brain injury.

Ray broke her neck and arm and also has scrapes and bruises from the accident, he said.

Penny McGahan, Pickering’s mother, said, “I’m thankful my son’s alive. I really hope everybody learns something from this. This is serious. My son’s still in the hospital. I’ve been home three times in 30 days.”

Bamberg County Magistrate R. Craig Threatt said during Monday’s hearing, “It’s sad business that any of us have to be here at all.”

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Why could I not post a comment, condemning ingesting mind controlling substances and getting into a vehicle and driving on public roads, where there are thousands that can be affected , even killed by such decisions?

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